The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 259: Final Round Discussion
Seeing Marie tilting her head in confusion, Kaizo frantically shook her head and retreated.
(Really. The last time I refused was three years ago, as "he".)
"That's it. After all, I have no intention of joining «Numbers»."
"Oh, very regrettable. However, if you change your mind, please come to the imperial capital. A Spirit Contractor like you is always welcome." Marie shrugged her shoulders lightly and suddenly turned her gaze outside the half-opened door.
"It's time I left. Your little kitten is getting jealous over there."
Perplexed, Kaizo followed his gaze and looking from the crack of the door, he could see the ponytail's hair swaying.
"What are you doing?"
"Yeahah!"
Hearing her voice, the red-haired young beauty frantically jumped out. Her ruby eyes were adorned by beautiful eyelashes. White skin clean. Although her chest was small, her elegant curves evoked the image of a graceful female cat.
"I-I didn't come here to peek! I-I just want to see the situation a little, uh..."
"Hoho, then, Kaizo, see you." Saying goodbye to the two, Marie walked out casually.
As if taking turns, Victoria rushed forward to Kaizo's side, "Kaizo, what are you talking about with Miss Marie?" Victoria asked, a little unhappy.
"Oh yeah, she asked if I was interested in becoming one of «Numbers»."
"I-I understand."
Probably expecting it, Victoria didn't seem too surprised. However, he looked at Kaizo with a worried look, "La-then, what are you doing?"
"Of course I refuse." Kaizo smiled wryly and shook his head.
"Why? «Numbers» Empire is a destination admired and championed by all elementalists."
"I'm not interested in that kind of thing. I just, how to say it..." Kaizo stopped saying at this moment.
(I really enjoyed living in the Academy with Victoria and the girls.)
Of course, that sentence was too embarrassing to say out loud. Therefore, Kaizo coughed and tried to change the subject, "To-put that aside, what are you doing here?"
"I came to visit the principal. So, is she okay?"
"Yes, his life is not in danger. But he's sleeping so don't be too noisy. Well, since the doctor from «Numbers» came to take care of him, there's nothing to worry about."
"I understand, I'm glad to hear it."
Seeing Victoria sigh in relief, Kaizo inevitably felt guilty.
Regarding the loss of strength of the Aidenwyth Spirit Contract, it might be best not to reveal it to the girls for now. With the final round at hand, he couldn't let them worry too much.
"Okay, let's go back to the palace. Tomorrow is the final."
"Yes. Right now, everyone's holding a strategy meeting." Continuing a serious expression, Victoria nodded.
****
After returning to the castle residence, Kaizo opened the room door.
"Kaizo!" Sitting around the table, the other three teammates called all of them at the same time.
"Kaizo, how's the principal?"
"It's okay. His life is not in danger."
Eve stands up and Kaizo gives her the same answer she gave Victoria just now.
Among the students, Eve had great respect for Aidenwyth. In addition to serving as the Hybrid Knight Captain, Eve even works in a capacity similar to her secretary. No wonder he was so worried.
"Kaizo, you must be tired too. I'll be brewing tea soon."
As soon as Kaizo sat down, Aura served herbal tea. The warm and comfortable aroma of tea instantly gives a calming sensation.
After waiting for Kaizo to breathe a little, Victoria spoke up, "So, now that Kaizo has returned, let's continue our strategy meeting. Although we are very worried about the principal's condition, now we should focus our attention on handling tomorrow's final round."
"Yes, that's true." Eve nodded and replied. Tiana and Aura also nodded.
While Kaizo was absent, they had discussed the final rules. A few hours earlier, the rules had been delivered by the Queen Seer, «Cross Fire».
This is similar to the «Tempest» event where teams competed for «Magic Stones» on a wide terrain, except this time it only lasted three days. Furthermore, the members of each team would be randomly transported to different locations.
After being transported to the field, the participants had to find their own teammates. Before gathering with their team, it was possible to face and fight against enemy elementalists.
This set of rules can be described as an intermediary between individual and team battles. How quickly one can meet their team is the key to victory.
"At first glance, this rule seems to support teams with «Search» type elementalists, but teams will definitely target that aspect and fight it. Compared to battles that rely on «Benteng» with built-in barriers, this is a completely different game."
"The "spirit crystal of communication may not be usable. Taking her is useless."
Kaizo agreed with Victoria's assessment, "Right. Although there was no explicit rule prohibiting participants from carrying spirit crystals, it would be best to assume that the terrain had been set up with a barrier to block communication-type magic completely."
"Regarding the terrain this time, I investigated a bit..." Tiana took out a few ancient books at this time, putting them on the table.
"These books?"
"Information about the field for the final. Karmila collected it."
"Karmila did this?"
Karmila Freya's. Representatives of the Rossvale Kingdom and leaders of «Division Rupture».
Unable to return to her home country due to helping Kaizo, Karmila has now become a servant of the Neidfrost family.
The castle residence is obviously quite far from «Babellion», but even so, Karmila has been trying her hardest to gather information for the Kaizo group.
"Then we really should thank Karmila afterwards. So what have we learned?"
"Yes. There are some pretty interesting facts." Tiana nodded.
The location specified by the Elemental Lord oracle was the abandoned city «Megidoa». Even for Tiana who came from the «Divine Obsession» Ritual, this was the first time she had heard of such a place.
"The abandoned city «Megidoa» was once named «Elfim» City. Far in the past, it was a city built by spirits," Tiana explained slowly, "At the same time, during the «Spirit» War, it was the final battleground."
"Spirit War."
"Have you heard of it?"
"At least I've heard that name before. I remember it from Ms.'s extra lessons. Freya. If my memory is correct."
"It seems like you really don't know anything other than his name. It is considered as the basic knowledge in «Divine Obsession» Ritual."
"More, isn't that a war in fairy tales?"
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.